May 21, 2012
For Immediate Release
Fort Wayne, Ind. – Downey High School star, Rayana Villalpando, joins the Indiana Tech women’s basketball program for the 2012-2013 season. Villpando was heavily recruited by the University of San Francisco, an NCAA Division I program in the West Coast Conference.
Downey High School, located in Downey, California, finished 19-10 this past year. Rayana’s leadership and talent helped her team make it into the quarterfinals of the CIF Division 1A for the first time in 17 years.
Last season, Villalpando averaged 9.6 points, 2.7 rebounds, 1.5 steals, and 3.1 assists.
Her outstanding accomplishments include attending Duke University’s Elite Basketball Camp, University of San Francisco’s Elite Basketball Camp, and she was invited to participate in the Michael T. White Fila Top Ten All-American Individual Showcase in Louisville, Kentucky (this event is invitation only). She was a CIF Division 1A First Team Selection and selected to play in the Southern Section vs. the Los Angeles City Section Collision XIV All-Star game. Also, she was voted both team captain and MVP her junior and senior year.
Downey High School Coach Walker said about Rayana, “Rayana has been great to coach. She has a good work ethic, a tremendous will to succeed, and a great desire to get better. She has a very good attitude, and her character is beyond reproach. In regards to her basketball skills, she improves daily, with her ball handling and decision making being her strengths. She is a tough competitor, and a very good leader. She gets the most out of her ability, and will definitely succeed at the next level. The bigger the game, the better Rayana plays.”
Rayana commented on becoming a Lady Warrior, “"I am excited about becoming a Lady Warrior and realizing my dream of playing basketball at the collegiate level. I intend to make my family proud and we feel blessed to become a part of the Indiana Tech family. The coaching staff, players and meeting with Dr. Boyce (Head of Psychology, my intended Major) solidified my decision to become a Lady Warrior. I would also like to thank my coaches during my youth (I've been playing since I was five years old), as well as my high school coaches (Coach Walker & Coach Harris) for helping me achieve my goal."
Indiana Tech Coach Luke Lochhead mentioned that “Rayana is an explosive point guard and is familiar with pushing the ball up the court for the quick basket. Rayana is a huge playmaker and can set her teammates up for open shots. Not to mention, Rayana can also shoot the three as well as the mid-range shot. Rayana is a big time asset to the Lady Warrior basketball family.”
For more information on Indiana Tech athletics please call the Athletic Office at 260-422-5561 ext. 2262 or visit our website at http://www.indianatech.edu/athletics
